The crowdfunded public art installation was gifted to the city of Los Angeles on July 4. Photo by Vafa Khatami. Courtesy of Farhang Foundation

As crowds across Los Angeles celebrated Independence Day Tuesday, LA officials closed off a stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between Avenue of the Stars and the Beverly Hills border in order to debut a new public art installation called the Freedom Sculpture.

Designed by artist Cecil Balmond, the sculpture was inspired by the Cyrus Cylinder, an archaeological artifact from ancient Persia. According to the foundation, it’s meant to celebrate the “ideals of freedom, respect for diversity, and inclusiveness.”

Located on a median in the middle of Santa Monica Boulevard, it’s also meant to be enjoyed by drivers. Balmond tells the LA Timesthat some of the best views of the sculpture will come when approaching it “at 30 to 40 miles an hour.”

The wavy lines of the sculpture imitate the Akkadian cuneiform script found on the historic cylinder and are illuminated at night by interior LED lights. “When you move past,” Balmond says, “it’s alive.”

The large glimmering sculpture arrived at the intersection of Santa Monica and Century Park East in June and had been concealed by a large yellow barrier until yesterday. It was commissioned by the Farhang Foundation, a nonprofit group promoting Iranian art and culture.

WASHINGTON – 29 July 2017 – Carnegie Mellon University, USA has the acquired educational license to use Dr. Roozan Bharucha’s Quantum Computing & Artificial Intelligence Theories into its Information Technology Engineering Syllabus from the SystemX Research Centre, USA. Carnegie Mellon University has acquired the educational printing and publication rights for Roozan’s Law for Quantum Computing, Roozan’s Law for Artifical Intelligence, Roozan’s First Law of Quantum AI Devices,

Dr. Tony Carnegie, Chairman of The Educational Committee, Carnegie Mellon University said, “We are glad to obtain the educational rights for Dr. Roozan Bharucha’s Quantum Computing & AI theories as this new technology will make our students aware of the upcoming future computing technologies that are destined to rule the IT Industry on a whole. Imagine the large sized computers requiring large cooling mechanism for their processor in comparison to the small finger nail sized Quantum Computing Chip used by AI-Prosthetic Group of devices which are highly precise, powerful, lightning fast and highly compact in the instruction sets for their programming. The man who has powered the large scale devices and reduced their dimensions by a lakh of times, his works are worth to be included in the education system to enable our students learn and understand the future technology. We thank SystemX Research Centre for coordinating with Dr. Roozan Bharucha and granting us the educational rights for his theories from the bottom of our heart. We also thank and like to show our gratitude to the powerful innovator (Dr. Roozan Bharucha) whose imaginations have led to the creation of these wonderful devices that will change the lives of lakhs of the physically challenged people. We all at the University including the Students, Staff and all the other members bow down to the talented young scientist Dr. Roozan Bharucha and thank him for donating us the educational rights for using his technical theories.”

Dr. Zayra Pathan, Chief Technical Officer, Carnegie Mellon University presented the briefings of the Roozan’s educational rights granted theories as given in the article below:

Roozan’sLawof Quantum Computing: “In a Quantum Computing Device, the performance of the device is equivalent to the algebraic product of the ionic charges trapped and inversely proportional to the cube of the half the total number of ionic charges trapped.”

Roozan’s Law of Artificial Intelligence Systems (Quantum Computing Only): “The Quantum AI device implements the learning by taking the Euclidean difference of the nearest probabilistic outputs for the given set of input variables represented as O=|X – P(Oi)|, where O is the output function, X is the set of input variables and P (Oi) is the probabilistic function of the output variabl”

Roozan’sFirstLawof Quantum AI Devices: “The Quantum AI device capability to handle the cubits is directly proportional to the number of Nano-transistor filters used in the development of the quantum chi”

Roozan’sSecondLawof Quantum AI Devices: “The Quantum AI device must implement the cooling function that is a product of the 0.354th power of the number of qubits handled by the device and the clock frequency of the trapped ionic energies within the syst”

Roozan’sLawof Quantization of Charges: “The ionic charges trapped within the system of Quantum Devices is a function of the product of the total positive ionic charges and total negative ionic charges and inversely proportional to the total number of ionic charges present within the syst”

Dr. Daniel Torfan, Founder, SystemX Research Centre said, “Dr. Roozan’s theories on Quantum Computing & AI form the basic core of the Quantum Devices and its technology. The world’s first Quantum Computer which is still under testing at the various prestigious institutions of the world also obey’s Dr. Roozan’s theories of Quantum Computing. These theories will lead to the development of various new Quantum Computed Devices that will change the face of the Information Technology Engineering in the near future. AI- Prosthetic Device Group uses the world’s first qubit based computation chip embedded safely into these devices making them more precise, intelligent and rapid in response than any other computation chips. As the AI-Prosthetic Group of devices are about to be launched into the open market in September, we are being approached by many Universities for including the technological theories into their IT Engineering Syllabus and we have started offering them the technology theories one by one for teaching their students. As per request of Dr. Roozan Bharucha who is the sole and original patent holder for these theories which shall be transferred as usage and modification rights to our SystemX Research Centre before launching, we are not charging any fees for offering our technology theories for educational purposes.”

Dr. Sudhanshu Roy, Technical Advisor, Carnegie Mellon University said on an ending note, “The theories of Dr. Roozan Bharucha are thoroughly read and understood by the entire educational committee prior to including them in our syllabus. These theories include heavy mathematical proofs that are powered by Dr. Preeti H. Dhamelia & Dr. Sharmeen Mehta who are very senior team members of the AI-Prosthetic Device Group Team at the SystemX Research Centre. We thank each of these three scientific professionals on behalf

of our University, our Staff and our Allumni, for giving us the educational rights of Quantum AI Devices theories to our University without any charge of fees. Also, they being situated in India, they will conduct webinars for our University Staff and Students to make them better grasp and understand these new technologies.”

ABOUT SYSTEMX RESEARCH CENTRE

SystemX Research Centre is the world’s Digital Innovation Centre which researches on transforming medical systems with software defined machines and solutions that include high end and precise quantum computing and artificial intelligence making them connected, responsive and predictive. SystemX shares this innovative knowledge with medical industry giants enabling them to form high quality medical instrumentation which works for the benefit of the patients.

The Hon’ble Minister for Minority Affairs Shri. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi presided over a gathering of eminent personalities and released the campaign. Also present on the occasion was the Consul General of Iran, H.E. Masood E Khaleghi and renowned actress Parizad Kolah Marshall who both spoke on the importance of the Launch and Programme.

The Jiyo Parsi Scheme launched on 24th September 2013 is unique, not only in India but to the world.

Here are the ads from Phase II :

What is Jiyo Parsi?

The Jiyo Parsi Scheme is initiated by the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MOMA), Government of India, to reverse the decline in the Parsi population by adopting scientific medical protocols and structured interventions, to stabilize and increase the population of Parsis in India.

The Parzor Foundation along with other Parsi organizations and many reputed doctors across India is working to spread awareness on the sociological, psychological and medical issues which have led to the critical decline in numbers, to make Parsis benefit from the huge advances in ART(Assisted Reproductive Technology) available today.

As India’s population more than tripled in over 60 years, the number of Parsis has reduced by almost 50% and is now less than 57,264 (Census 2011).

This is the First Time in the World that an intervention is being attempted to bring an urban, educated community back from the brink of Demographic extinction. Between September 2013 and today, 101 babies (for Parsis, a blessed number), have been born under the scheme and for many more couples, the Scheme has been ‘Truly a Miracle‘, ‘Our Silver Lining‘, ‘At the End of Every Tunnel there is Light‘. With the full support of the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MOMA), Jiyo Parsi been able to turn despair into delight. ‘Jiyo Parsi appeared in our lives as a ray of hope….., the Jiyo Parsi Counsellor gave us the courage to try one more time, with God’s blessing we are parents of an energetic baby today‘.

These Testimonials are only one part of the story. From infertility to grand-parenting, Jiyo Parsi has become a Movement to bring back the happiness of family, a faith in the future and a firm belief in the resilience of the Parsi Zoroastrian community. We can proudly say that even children declare‘Jiyo Parsi’.

Says Dr. Shernaz Cama, the prime mover of the scheme, “As we enter our next Phase, we look ahead to carry the community with us, old and young, to think outside the box and be the pioneers in reviving a community; let us know that every step we take can make a difference.”

Whilst Phase-I of the campaign, created by Sam Balsara’s Madison focused on awareness of Jiyo Parsi and sensitizing the community and its youngsters to the issues in a tone of voice that ensured virability of the campaign, the current Phase-2 consists of 12 ads and is focused more on trying to persuade young Parsis to get married and have children for a better balance to their own life. Raj Nair, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Madison BMB, the agency behind the creative execution of the campaign says, “After the huge success of the deliberately tongue-in-cheek last print campaign, we have created a new rendition. We have continued to focus on issues especially relevant and meaningful, like togetherness, the importance of family, that having children is joyful and doesn’t come in the way of life at all, that there is no positive outcome to choosing to be alone and so on. The hope is that the issues touched upon will clearly resonate with young Parsi people in a completely positive manner.” Madison BMB has been involved with the project since inception.

I live in Karachi and there is a friend of mine who is looking for Soonamai daughter of ruatomjee who was a principal at some institute. My friend says soonamai studied at Karachi university in the 70’s with her mum talat wizarat. After that soonamai got married and went to the USA – not sure where. The family still kept in touch with her dad and then I don’t know if the dad passed away or they stopped meeting. Soonamai by the way used to live in Saddar.

As the oppressive influence of Isis spreads, women in Iraqi Kurdistan are risking their lives to convert to an ancient religion that preaches gender equality. Corinne Redfern spends a week with the Zoroastrians

Some days, when Duya Ahmed Gadir wakes up, she lies in bed a little longer than usual. Against the buzz of an air conditioning pump outside her window, the 27-year-old whispers a quiet mantra – a promise to think good thoughts, say good words and complete good deeds. She doesn’t do it every day – most of the time she oversleeps; tumbling out of her room, gulping down a cup of sweetened tea and flying out the door to the library to while away her day studying English as a hobby. But when she does remember, it calms her. As a Zoroastrian, this three-pillared promise is her only prayer.

“I was raised Muslim, but I converted to Zoroastrianism last year,” Duya explains, sitting cross-legged on a mattress in jeans and scuffed platform sandals at her home in Kalar, a small city in the autonomous Iraqi region of Kurdistan, three hours north of Baghdad.

“I could see how Isis were acting in the name of ‘Islam’. For three years, they’ve been violently imposing extremist, conservative laws. They’re marrying girls as young as 10, forcing women to cover their hands and faces and killing or raping everyone who gets in their way. Three million people are homeless because of them. I didn’t want anything to do with their version of Islam any more.”

As Duya herself accepts, her country’s chequered history and current social and economic turmoil has led to an interpretation of Islam that the majority of Muslims wouldn’t recognise as being true to what they practice – a result of overzealous leaders using religion in the wrong way. On a global level, this misrepresentation is part of the reason the hashtag #notinmyname has become so prevalent worldwide.

Nevertheless, Duya is one of more than 100 Kurdish women who have risked their lives to officially convert to Zoroastrianism over the past 18 months, after reading about the inherently feminist, liberal religion on Facebook.

She tracked down Kurdistan’s only official ‘Atashgah’ (the Zoroastrian centre of worship) in the city of Sulaymaniyah, 85 miles to the north. Once there, it seemed like a semi-utopia, to be suddenly surrounded by women of all ages and backgrounds, wearing long, traditional dresses teamed with bright, spiked heels.

“Anyone is welcome here,” explains the religion’s female spiritual leader, Peerq Ashna Abdulqadr Raza, 47. “It’s a place where women can do and say what they want. There aren’t many places like that in this country.”

Peerq Ashna Abdulqadr Raza, Zoroastrianism’s female spiritual leader.

In search of equality

While local theologists are noting a sudden surge in Zoroastrianism’s popularity among both men and women (it’s open to all, but does have a strong female presence in this region due to its focus on gender equality), it’s a trend they’re attributing to both the Isis-inspired backlash and a growing awareness of gender politics.

But the religion itself isn’t new – originating in Persia over 3,500 years ago, the monotheistic belief system [they worship a single God] predates Christianity, Islam and Judaism, and is founded on the poetry and songs of a prophet called Zoroaster.

In an unprecedented move to help Amdavadis better understand the culture and religion that is Zoroastrianism, the Parsi Panchayat in the city opened the doors of the Vakil Adariyan Agiyari to observe and quench the curiosity of those who will never set foot inside the religious halls of the Parsis. Non-Parsis are not allowed inside an Agiyari. However, since renovations are underway at the 90-year-old structure, and since it will have to be consecrated again with a new fire at the end of repairs, the officials though it would be a good time to open the doors of the religious hall to give us a peek inside.

As one enters the holy place of worship, the words Humata Hukhta Hvarshta are noticeable. Explaining the same, Brigadier (retd) Jehangir Anklesaria, the president of the Parsi Panchayat says that these words contain the core beliefs of Zoroastrianism in the Avesta language. He said, “The words mean Good thoughts, Good words and Good deeds.” Anklesaria, explaining the character of this particular Agiyari and its importance, even showed the ‘Afringanyu’, the vessel which holds the holy fire in the ‘Keblo’ Sanctum Sanctorum of the Agiyari.

This is probably the first time in the 90 years of the Agiyari’s existence that even Parsis have entered this room, much less people from other religions. Only ‘Dastoors’ Parsi priests are allowed inside to keep the holy fire burning. The Agiyari, has not been renovated since 1986, and had developed cracks in one wall and had to be repaired. The wall was dug to its foundation and cement poured in to stop it from collapsing. The repairs cost Rs50 lakh.

Afringanyu

The Afringanyu is kept in a small room and also has a cover that is attached to the roof of the room with the help of the pulley. The holy fire that burns in an Agiyari is made up of four types of fire taken from the houses of a king, a pauper, a farmer and a blacksmith. A prayer is carried out on all of them individually before mixing them one by one and there is prayer after mixing each one into the main fire. Five times aday, the bell is rung thrice and there is prayer on the holy fire by the priests.

Hi all, I’m a Parsi woman living in the UK and I made a short film about the Parsees, I would be grateful if you all could share adn watch and would love to know what you think so feel free to leave a comment. Thank you!

A journey through time to discover who the Parsees are and why, they may soon, be extinct. Ava Patel investigates.

Parsi Gymkhana returns to cricket roots under Khodadad

The former greats of the game like Farokh Engineer, Nari Contractor and Polly Umrigar now make way for a new generation of champions at the Parsi Gymkhana.

Parsi Gymkhana was founded in 1884 by Parsi Cricketers. Photo credit: Wikimedia commons

Since its founding in 1884, the Parsi Gymkhana in Mumbai has been a centre for Parsi cricket and served as a platform for stalwarts like Farokh Engineer, Nari Contractor and Polly Umrigar.

132 years since its founding, a new generation of champions such as Aditya Tare, Suryakumar Yadav, Balwinder Singh Sandhu and Aavishkar Salvi have emerged to carry on the legacy.

“I became a member in the year 1984 and played from 1985 to 1991,” recalls Khodadad Yazdegardi, vice-president of the Parsi Gymkhana and secretary of cricket. “Our side comprised of all Parsis in the playing XI and maybe two non-Parsis in the whole squad.”

Cricket revival

As time passed, cricket began to play a smaller role in the club, with participation declining. Some left the sport, others went abroad and fewer Parsis turned up to play. “Maybe there was a lot of pressure to study or maybe the youngsters chose football.”

The gymkhana decided to revive interest in cricket and in 2011, the president and managing committee approached Khodadad. “When I took over in 2011, most of the boys decided to leave when they saw the (previous) secretary leave. Fortunately, the Kanga League was a washout that year and then I approached Zubin Barucha, my old friend and captain, to get me a good coach,” says Khodadad.

Finding the right coaches

His search led to Omkar Salvi, who went on to play an instrumental role in revitalising the team. Salvi, however, moved on to become the bowling coach of Mumbai and Khodadad found a suitable replacement in Vinayak Mane. “From the very first day, I was clear in my mind that the process is important and not the final results,” says Khodadad. He and Mane set about creating a culture that would bring new life into the side. “I want every boy who wants to play for Mumbai to aim to play for the Parsi Gymkhana.”

“The administration showed great interest and the cricket committee was very supportive of grooming cricketers for the club,” says Mane, now the Mumbai U-16 coach. He talks about the various changes that were brought into place, including the arrival of Dr Makarand Waingankar and physician Dr Kinjal Suratwala.

The next few years saw rapid changes come to pass, with modern facilities and right techniques introduced. Today, the Parsi Gymkhana is back in the ‘A’ Division, having won the A. F. S. Talyarkhan three years in a row, and, after a gap of almost 70 years, entering the finals of the Talim Shield and Purshottam Shield cricket tournaments.

“I think it’s a great club,” says Aditya Tare, Ranji player and captain of the squad, when asked what it’s like to be associated with the gymkhana. “It is one of the pioneers of Mumbai cricket and has a rich history. It is also a very motivated club and wants to do well. We have got a couple of terrific coaches and as a professional cricketer; the facilities that they provide at the club level are phenomenal.”

Balwinder Singh Sandhu Jr started playing for the gymkhana U-19 team and got his break when selected for the Mumbai Ranji team. “The kind of approach and preparation towards the game is totally different now,” he speaks on the changes. “The interaction between the coaches and the players personally is a lot more and coaches like Vinayak (Mane) and Omkar Salvi are the kind you want on your team.”

Positive effects

As their performance improved, Khodadad noticed a pleasant change. “I’ve seen a lot of members come to watch our matches now. Lots of members used to come every Sunday to watch our games and now for the last two years, I’ve seen them begin returning.”

The future looks bright with several players already advanced to the higher level of cricket and many more probables in the wings. “I am a firm believer that everything is secondary in life to a person’s character and sports build character,” Khodadad shares.

“Besides cricket, I try to inculcate a very strong character in all the boys. We try to make them so mentally strong out here that nothing bothers them. When these boys play, their performance will carry them through. Four of my boys play Ranji Trophy today and it’s all been on pure performance.”

More than the professional atmosphere and fantastic facilities, the team comes across as a close-knit unit that is always ready to support each other. This feeling comes across clearly when Khodadad speaks passionately about ‘his boys’. “More than anything else,” says Khodadad, “you know these boys are like a family. We back each other always, even if the boy is not playing in the side. If a boy fails, we still back him.”

“The team dynamics here are brilliant,” says Sandhu. “All the seniors are approachable and the communication level is really good. These guys are open to sharing their thoughts and experiences. I think the management understands the player really well too.”

Mane seconds his thoughts. “I’d like to mention (Aditya) Tare, Aavishkar (Salvi),Ballu (Balwinder Singh Sandhu) and Surya (Suryakumar Yadav), their experience, knowledge and commitment set an example for the others on how to approach club cricket even after playing at a higher level. They are helping the team grow year after year.”

Work ethic

“The commitment the players show is tremendous,” observes Mane. “We have all been brought up like that and show this commitment at whatever level we play. Now, we have a good set of players which will produce good cricketers who will play for Mumbai and maybe the country.”

Khodadad has a bigger aim for the club. “The main thing is to make sure any boy who aims to play a good level of cricket will try to get in the Parsi Gymkhana team and work hard because here, we eat, breathe and train cricket.”

Tare validates Khodadad’s claims. “As a cricketer what we require is good facilities to practise, good coaches, good grounds and pitches and the Parsi Gymkhana ticks all the boxes. Khododad and the administrators are open-minded and accepting and it helps as a player to have that support system,” he concludes.

Stumbling upon this piece by Behram Contractor * aka *Busybee, 26 years ago, I can’t imagine the foresight he had, in a way. With the high price of tomatoes currently, this is a throwback written in only a manner Busybee could. Brings a smile every time…!!! 😊😊😊